Moving stairway



(No Model.) 10 Sheets-+Sheet 1.

- J. M. DODGE MOVING STAIRWAI Patented Feb. 8, 1898.

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(No Model.) 10 Sheets-Sheet 2.

J. M. DODGE. MOVING sTAIRWAY.

No. 598,772. Patented Feb. 8, 1898.

(No Model.) 10 Sheets-Sheet 3.

J. M; DODGE. MOVING STAIRWAY.

N0. 598,'7' 725 Patented. Feb. 8,1898.

THE NoRms Pzrens co. PHDTO-UTHO, WASHINGTON, u. c.

(No Model) 10 Sheet s-Sheet 5.

J. M. DODGE. MOVING S'TAIRWAY.

No. 598,772. Patented Feb. 8. 1898.

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(No Model.) 10 Sheets-Sheet 6. J. M. DODGE; MOVING STAIRWAY.

Patented Feb. 8, 1898.

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(No Model.) 10 SheetsSheet 7.-

J. M. DODGE.

MOVINGSTAIRWAY. No. 598,772. Patented'Feb; 8, 1898.

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THEINURRIS Pnznscm movauma, WASNINGTOM n c (No Model.) I 10 Sheets-Sheet 8 J. M. DODGE.

MOVING STAIRWAY.

"J3: 5 Patented Feb. 8, 189-8. i

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(No Model.) 10 Sheets-Sheet B.

J. M. DODGE.

MOVING STAIRWAY.

No. 598,772. Patented Feb. 8,18%.

I JJM J52? W/ away J. M. DODGE. MOVINYG- ISTAIRWAY.

10 Sheets-Sheet 10.

(No Model.)

' Paten ted Feb 8, 1898;

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JAMES M. DODGE, OF PHILLZl PATENT Prion.

DELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA.

Mov| NG STAI R'WAY.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 598,772, dated February 8, 1898.

Application filed August 9, 1897.

' ways, and so, also, that the height of the traveling steps gradually diminishes toward the foot and toward the top of the stairway; and the invention further consists in certain par ticular arrangements and combinations of parts hereinafter fully described.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective view illustrating myimprovetion of my invention.

ments in travelingstairways. Fig. 2 is a diagram showing the relation of the step-sections to the floors. Fig. 3 is a plan view showing the upper and lower platforms and theirrelation to the step-sections. 'Fig. 4 is a transverse section on the line 4. 4, Fig. 3. Fig. 5 is a transverse section on the line 5 5, Fig. 3. Fig. 6 is a longitudinal sectional view of the lower portion of the stairway. Fig. '7 is a longitudinal sectional view of the upper portion of the stairway. Fig. 7 is aview of a detail of Fig. 7. Fig. Sisa transverse sectional View on the line 8 8, Fig. 6. Fig. 9 is a plan view of one of the step-sections. Fig. 10 is a side view of one of the step-sections. Fig. 11 is an end view of one of the step-sections. Fig. 12 is a sectional view through a series of the step-sections, showing their relation one to another. Fig. 13 is a View of the lower portion of the stairway, illustrating a modifica- Fig. 14: is alongitudinal sectional view of the upper portion of a stairway,illustrating a modification of my inven tion. Fig. 15 is a transverse sectional View on the line 15 15, Fig.13. Fig. 16 is a view looking in the direction of the arrow, Fig. 15.

,rection of the arrow, Fig. 17.

t ion of my invention. Fig. 20 is a View simiser ai No. 647,666. (N0 model.)

lar to Fig. 19 with the step-sections removed to show the grooves. Fig. 21 isa perspective view of one of the steps shown in Fig; 19.

Fig. 22 is a sectional view showing the method of driving a series of the step-sections. Fig. 23 is a view showing a stillfurther modification of the invention, illustrating the linking together of the series of steps so that the sections can be returned without guides, but the linking together will allow the independent movement of the steps. Fig. 24 is a diagram view showing the mechanism illustrated in Figs. 6 and 7 constructed to run in the reverse direction. Fig. 25 is a diagram View similar to Fig. 2 with the exception that the platforms are on a level with the step-sections. Fig. 26 is a diagram View showing two flights of stairs. Fig. 27 illustrates another modification of my invention, in which the stairsections are returned overhead.

Prior to my invention it has been proposed to construct movable platforms and stairways by positively connecting a series of moving sections together by links, the structure constituting in effect an endless-chain carrier, and it has also been proposed to attach a series of steps to endless belts, making travelin g stairways with which fixed platforms were to be combined. In all these prior plans, however, so far as I am aware, the movements of the traveling step-sections have been such as to cause objectionable gaps and spaces at different points and cause sudden changes in direction, as well as to develop steps of substantially the sameheight at the base and at the top as in the body of the stairway.

In my invention the sections constituting the traveling steps of the stairway are independent, by which phrase as used in this description and in the accompanying claimsl mean not necessarily that they are separate, although I prefer that construction, but that in the carrying run -that is,while forming steps or platforms-they are not controlled" by adjoining sections, thus avoidingthe existence at any point in the stairway or between the stairway and the platforms of objectionable gaps or spaces, such as would be unavoidable were the sections positively connected together in a way to prevent their having independent motion. I also so construct and relatively arrange the moving step-sections and the ways in which they travel to make the traveling stairway that the. steps developed at the foot and at the top of the stairway shall be of small height or depth and there shall be a gradual increase in the height of the steps upward from the foot of the stairway and downward from the top thereof, so that persons ascending or descending with the stairway shall not be required in passing onto or from the same to suddenly take a step of full height; but the conditions shall be most favorable for allowing them to.v adapt themselves to the conditions arising out of the travel of the steps themselves, thus minimizing danger of accident.

My invention may be usedwith or without a: stationary or a movable hand-rail.

Referring in the first instance to: Figs'..1.to

12, inclusive, A are the side plates or beams of. the. stairway, arranged at. the. proper an:- gle, and attached in: the present instance to theseplates'arerailsaa, 8,.formingjgrooves a. a. ,,inwhi'ch.travel the wheelszor'shoesbf b? of the step-sections B. Asshown inFigs; 6. and 7, the-railsaare. connected att'heupper end to rails (1. which form the. return-grooves a a in whichv travel the wheels of the. step.s e:ctions on their return. Two, of the; rails a'are connected to'two of the, rails, a at theibase, while the other rails. are. discontinued, al.- though inqsome-instances they may be made continuous. Theserails aremade-inthepresent instance of angle-bars. properly curved at the top and bottom. v

In my preferred. structure. nopartof. the floor or platform. at the base or: top ofv the stairway is formed. of. step-sections,.b.ut the development of. steps commences with the emergence. of thestep-sectionsfrom beneath a permanent floor or platform at. one, end of th'estairway, andasthe; other end of. the stairway is approached the steps gradually decrease; in height, so as'to carry'the passenger: to a level only slightly above. that of the permanent floor or platform onto which. heis to pass from the stairway;

I preferably arrangetheflooror:platform G atthereceiwing end of the stairway" above the lowerterminal of the latter, so that a person stepping onto the; moving stairwaywill step down, thus. transferring his weight: ontothe footon the step-section, and I prefer to-arrange the fiooror. platform Oat the delivery end of thestairway below th eup per terminal thereof, so that; a person stepping from the stairway to the: floor will. step down,.thus transferring his weight onto. the foot on the floor.v By this arrangement. danger of accident is ma.- t'erially lessened, as the passenger. is not so liable to. stumble as he; would he were his weight. distributed. so: as to. be partly on. one and. partly on. the: other foot at the moment of passing on: or off the. traveling: steps.

By makzing'thesteps gradually increase in height the; momenta person steps from the permanent platformat the receiving end onto a moving step-section he is carried upward or downward, according to the direction of travel 1 of the. stairway, while at the same time this the person carried thereby is not so liable to fall as if he were required to step from a fixed 1 platform directly onto a suddenlydeveloped moving step of the full height or were suddenly transferred from a moving horizon- ,tal platform directly onto a moving step of full height, and as the step nears the platform at the del'ivery'end, either in ascending 5ordescending, the passenger can step from the moving step-section onto the platform withoutjar or danger, because. there is such slight differenceof level.v

In: order to. prevent-accidents. at. the terminal of the stairway, I continue. the guides and the travel of the step-sectionsupwarda considerable distance. above the platform or flooratthev saidend, as shown in. Figs. 1, 2, and 'Z. The step-sectionsthusact asan' abutment,.rendering. impossible accidents in passing' from thestai rway to the fioor or platform,

or byreason of the: user being carried: forward. too; far, said floor or platform in this case: extending along one or both sides of the stairway, as shown. in: said figures of the drawings. Another advantage arising from this construction is thattitenables'me to employ roughened tread-surfaces for thestepsections, whichv cannot. well be done where said. sections. disappear at. the delivery end beneath. av permanent. floor or platform.

The. several step-sections are made independent and are self-contained and areepreferably made. separate. in theaformshown in Figs; 9, 10,. and 11.,

The stepesectionsof thestairwayaredriven, in the present instance, from the base.

Dv is alshaftidriven in any'suitable manner sov that it will turn. slowly and: evenly, and on this shaft are twopushing-wheels'D, having socketed arms. cl, which engagerollerszor pins onthe step-sections. In: the present instance I have shown: rollers b mounted onstuds b secured tov the step-sections The wheels D engage the rollersof thes-tepsections and carrythem around the curve at the base, asin Fig. 6, and push them forward. Thus said wheels-:13 act directly upon each step-section successively topush it forward, and as each step-section is thus pushed it actsto push forward all the preceding stepsections'. of the series, contiguous. step-sections throughout the series being when the device is in operation in positive contact with each other,.and thus obj ectionable-gapsin the structure are. avoided. The step-sections return by their own weight to the starting-point or may be pushed there.

The upper wheels I) of the step-sections are carried by studs D which, in the present instance, also carry antifriction rollers 6, these rollers extending beyond the edge of IIO the step-sections to which they are attached and bearing upon therisers of the next stepsection in advance, as shown in Fig. 12. The lower wheels 17 are mounted on studs I), having their bearings in extensions of the risers of the step-sections.

As shown in Figs. 3 and 4, I prefer to make the platform at the receiving end inclined toward the Stairway and at a proper distance above it at the receiving-point and to cover theinclined surface with rubber or other suitable material, and, as'shown in Figs. 3 and 5,

I prefer to make the platform at the delivery end incline from the stairway and below it at the delivery-point, and also cover this surface with rubber, and, as shown in Fig. 12, I may insert rubber or equivalent material in the treads of the step-sections.

The foregoing description refers particularly to an ascending moving stairway. If the direction of movement is to be reversed, as indicated in Fig. 24, so as to form a descending stairway, then the driving-shaft and its wheels are preferably placed at the sumwit and the moving abutment of step-sections;

formed at the base of thestairway.

It will be noticed on referring to Figs. 1 and 8 that the ends of the step-sections fit snugly between the sides of the stairway, so that the entire passage-way is to all intents and purthe internlediate'floor or stage is on two levels w y, the level y on one side of the stairway being slightly below the delivery-level of flight of the stairway, so that a passenger carriedby said flight can step down therefrom onto said floor or stage, while the level a: on the other side of the stairway is slightly above the receiving-level of flight 2 thereof, so that apassenger may step down from said floor or stage onto one of the traveling steps of said flight 2.

If desired, additional driving mechanism may be arranged at each floor or platform. I

In order to take up lost motion, Ipreferabl'y make the upper section A, Figs. 7 and 7, adjustable. In the present instance the section A rests upon longitudinal beams, and on the section arelugs, through which pass adjusting-screws f, which bear against lugs on thebeams, so that on turning the screws in one direction the section is moved to take up the lost motion. The section A may be secured to the side plates A of the stairway after adjustment by bolt f.

In some instances Imay make the stairway as shown in Figs. 13 to 18, inclusive, in which the step-sections pass directly under a platform at both the base and the summit. In

this case I extend the shaft or stud of the upper rollers across the step-sections and provide a pushing-wheel]? with socketed arms.

which engage with the shaft or stud and will push the step-section forward. This stepsection in turn will push the one in advance, and so on throughout the entire length of the stairway, and in order to carry the step-sections around the curve I mount on the shaft D wheels D havingprojections which engage with the lower wheel or roller b of the step-section, so as to steady them in passing around the curve. The guides for the stepsections (shown in Fig. 14) do 'not extend above the platform at the summit, but simply pass around and under the ascending flight of steps. The return-section. A may beadj usted longitudinally to take up lost motion in the same manner as the device shown in Fig. '7. It will be noticed in these figures that the side walls or wainscoting a Figs. 15 and 17, can be arranged close to the moving stepsections, so that no objectionable spaces are formed at the ends .of the steps.

In Figs. 19, 20, and 21 I have shown stepsections which are driven by wheels D onthe driving-shaftD. These wheels act upon studs or pins b projecting from the ends of the step-sections. In this case thestep-sections may be solid, as shown in Fig. 21. The studs or rollers of the step-sections, Fig. 20, are adapted to a single channel a at each side, and at each endof the stairway are short rails a which carry the upper pins, so as to steady the step-sections when at the top and bottom of the flight. I provide guardrails a at the point where the two grooves merge into one groove, so as to carry the step-sections across the open spaces. The steps may return in any suitable manner, preferably in the channels shown. The step-sections do not extend above the floor-level at the summit, and the floors are slightly above the step-sections, and

in this case I have so arranged the guidewaysthat the step-sections form the upper and lower platforms, the tops of the steps being on the same level, although this is not essential. i

In Fig. 22 I have shown the step-sections driven by an endless chain having lugs which act upon studs or rollers on the step-sections, so that two or more steps may be driven forward in unison. This construction may be used when it is required to push a considerable number of steps forward from a single are pushed forward, preventing objectionable gaps or spaces, they will yet hang together on their return and may be simply suspended without guides. I prefer in this case, however,in order to guard against accident should the step-sections become disconnected, to use a single guide, which may carry the pins 3 or either one of the rollers (9 19 Other forms of loose connections for the step-sections may be usedwithout departing from the essential feature of the invention.

It will be understood that the devices shown in either of the figures may be used to ascend or descend; but I prefer to make separate structures ascending and descending.

In Fig. 27 I have shown a diagram of an overhead return for the step-sections. The sections in this instance extend up at each end of the stairway forming the moving abutments and extend over the stairway, so that the steps may be moved in either direction, one vertical run being the moving abutment in one case at the delivery end and the other vertical run being the moving abutment in the other case for the delivery end, so that in this modification the steps can be moved in either direction to act as an ascending or descending moving stairway, retaining in both cases the advantage of a moving abutment at the terminal of the stairway.

I do not in this case claim, broadly, a moving platform consisting of sections, guides therefor, and means for moving the sections forwardly by causing them to push one upon another, nor do I here claim, broadly, a moving carrier guided so as to form a platform having a portion presenting an abrupt change of angle at the platform, so as to serve as an abutment, as these features form the subject of a separate application filed on the 22d day of January, 1898, Serial No. 667,634.

I claim as my invention- 1. In a moving stairway, step-sections free to slide upon each other, substantially as described.

2. The combination in a stairway, of a series of moving stepsections abutting one against another throughout the length of the stairway, guides for the sections, and means for moving the sections, substantially as described.

3. The combination in a stairway, of a series of moving step sections abutting one against another and fitting against the side walls of a guideway, guides for the sections, and means for pushing the sections, substantially as described.

4.. The combination in a stairway, of movable step-sections, a platform at the base of the stairway, and means for so guiding the step-sections, that their height is gradually increased as they are moved away from or decreased as they are moved toward said platform, substantially as described.

5. The combination in a stairway, of a series of moving step-sections, a fixed platform at the base and a fixed platform at the summit of the stairway, and guides for the stepsections, said guides being arranged on a gentle curve at the base and at the summit of the stairway, substantially as described.

6. The combination in a stairway, of a series of independent moving steps, guides for the said steps, and means for pushing the series of steps from a fixed point, substantially as described.

7. The combination in a moving stairway, of moving step-sections, guideways at each side of the stairway, wheels on the step-sections adapted to travel on said guideways, and mechanism situated at one end of the stairway and operating to push the step-sections, substantially as described.

8. The combination in a moving stairway, of independent step-sections, two guideways therefor, and projections on each step-section, one adapted to one guideway and the other adapted to the other guideway, said guideways being so arranged in respect to each other and of such a curve that the stepsections will gradually increase in height as they move away from one platform and will gradually diminish in height as they approach the other platform, substantially as described.

9. The combination in a moving stairway, of sections independently movable to form steps or platforms, guides therefor, each stepsection having projections adapted to the guides, a driving-shaft, and wheels on the driving-shaft adapted to engage the step-sections, substantially as described.

10. The combination in a stairway, of moving step-sections, with a platform situated on a level slightly below the tread of the stepsections at delivery-point, substantially as set forth.

11. The combination in a stairway, of moving step-sections, a platform situated on a level slightly above the tread of the step-sections at receiving-point, and a platform situated on a level slightly below the tread of the step-sections at the delivery-point, substantially as described.

12. The combination in a moving stairway, of traveling step-sections, and a floor or platform at the delivery end thereof, the travel of the step-sections being continued above said floor or platform so as to form an abutment, substantially as described.

13. The combination in a moving stairway, of traveling step-sections,with guides for said sections, guides extending upward beyond a fioor or platform at the delivery end of said stairway, so that the step-sections will be carried to a point above said platform and act as an abutment, substantially as described.

14. The combination in a moving stairway, of a floor or platform at each end of the stairway, independent step-sections, means for moving the said sections, and guides for the said sections, said guides being so formed that the steps will gradually increase in height as they move away from one platform and will gradually decrease in height as they approach the other platform, the platform at the receiving end being above the level of the stepsections and the platform at the delivery end being below the level of the step-sections, and the guides for the step-sections extending considerably above the platform at the delivery end so that the step-sections will pass upward and form an abutment, all substantially as described.

15. In a moving stairway, the combination of separate step-sections, guides therefor, and means for pushing the step-sections forward, substantially as described.

16. In a moving stairway, the combination of a series of disconnected step-sections, and

guides therefor, with means for engaging and moving said step-sections successively and thereby imparting motion to the series, substantially as described.

17. The combination in a moving stairway,

of step-sections free to slide upon each other, guides therefor, the guides at one end being 

